Withdrawals

How to withdraw, transfer out, or close your Betterment account

Table of Contents

How it works

How do I transfer funds to another provider via ACATS?

Below, we'll walk you through how to transfer your funds out to another provider using the ACATS method (Automated Customer Account Transfer Service). Please note that the following instructions only apply to stock and bond taxable accounts or IRAs.  If you would like to transfer out your Betterment 401(k), please see the “Moving money out” section of our 401(k) Participant FAQs.  Crypto accounts cannot be transferred to another provider and must be withdrawn to a connected bank account. For ...

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How do I withdraw funds from my account?

We’ll walk you through how to withdraw from a taxable account or an IRA. You can withdraw your money from Betterment at any time, without additional fees. We do not charge any trading fees or assess penalties for requested withdrawals or account closures. It’s your money, and is always accessible to you. From a web browser, after logging in to your account, go to "Transfer or Rollover" > "Withdraw." Withdrawals generally take about 4-5 business days to process; funds will automatically be ...

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Managing my account

What should I know about withdrawing from an IRA?

IRA distributions are withdrawals of funds from your account. There are four main distribution options on the Transfer page, which correspond to specific distribution codes on the tax form 1099-R. Early Distribution. If you are under age 59 ½, you will see the option for an “early distribution,” which may mean that you will pay a 10% tax penalty along with any taxes owed on the withdrawal. Normal Distribution. If you are over 59 ½, you will see the option for a “Normal Distribution,” which is ...

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How can I close my account?

You can close any investment account you have in your Betterment account once you’ve removed the funds. You can easily re-open investment accounts if you want to in the future. To close investment accounts you hold at Betterment, the process is simple. Log in from a web browser and select “Settings” and then “Accounts.” Once there, click the three dots to the right of the specific investment account(s) you wish to close. Before you can close an account, you must fully remove any funds from the ...

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